The third in a series on restoring the drama to the study of the Word of God.
Let
us simplify some terms.
- Protagonist: the good guy.
- Antagonist: the bad guy.
- Plot: the unfolding of the story through conflict.
Now,
let us complicate matters again. But don’t panic. It is the complications which
make the story.
First
– keep in mind you do not always get the good guy and the bad guy right at the
beginning. An unexpected twist can change your mind.
Saul the Pharisee is an example of this. Yet, with words like, “Of- course- we- know-that-he-will…,” many a preacher and teacher kills the drama of this man’s arrival on the scene as a villain. The Scripture briefly plays up his dastardliness. Therefore, why should not we? Even though our audience may know the rest of the story, it could do them and us good to suspend that knowledge, re-enter the plot line, and remember the "Whoa!-I-didn't-see-that-coming!" moment on the Damascus road.
Saul the Pharisee is an example of this. Yet, with words like, “Of- course- we- know-that-he-will…,” many a preacher and teacher kills the drama of this man’s arrival on the scene as a villain. The Scripture briefly plays up his dastardliness. Therefore, why should not we? Even though our audience may know the rest of the story, it could do them and us good to suspend that knowledge, re-enter the plot line, and remember the "Whoa!-I-didn't-see-that-coming!" moment on the Damascus road.
Second
– a plot gets under way with a thought provoking incident. At the
very beginning of the Bible, once the stage is set, the two primary characters encounter
a stranger and disaster follows. This raises questions which we have forgotten
because we have known the story for so long. It would be interesting to do a
Bible study with people who have no background in the Scripture, and to do so without answering their questions until the narrative does.
What’s
going to happen to Adam? I thought he was the hero but he’s just a chump. And,
who or what is this serpent? And, what is God going to do about all this?
I call this return to the drama of the narrative a hermeneutic of story. I see others have used that moniker as well. I cannot be responsible for whatever they may have in mind. My meaning is a return to the drama of
the narrative in our study, teaching, and preaching. I believe we miss some understanding
because we are inoculated against the questions and emotions the text is
designed to arouse.
NEXT: Granny the Spoiler
No comments:
Post a Comment